The Economic Pages - Global Economic News

[Shwe Tu Colony]

Two applications will be given, but they'll be writing the same article.
Guest Article
Your Name: Sekka Verndara
Your Age: 500 to 1 millenium
Your Nation: The Demon Empire's Colony of Parfuhmerie
Are You: In Business | In Government | Economist | Other (see below)
If Other, Please Explain: Both the Head of Economics of Parfuhmerie & the co-owner of the Two Seas Trading Company
Additional Information: He lives in a fantasy-tech nation, but tech barriers won't cause issues. This article is to be about the creation of the Two Seas Trading Company, which was formed from the once-independent trading companies of the Verndara Emerald Trading Company and Mielle Trading.

Guest Article
Your Name: Sen Vorico (born Lucius Vorico)
Your Age: 57
Your Nation: The Thallian Treat of Valikoto
Are You: In Business | In Government | Economist | Other (see below)
If Other, Please Explain:
Additional Information: He lives in a fantasy-tech nation, but tech barriers won't cause issues. This article is to be about the creation of the Two Seas Trading Company, which was formed from the once-independent trading companies of the Verndara Emerald Trading Company and Mielle Trading.

[ViZion]

The Economic Pages

AstCorp Considering Cellular Spinoff?

12/23/17
By: Amy Roth

Vitalita, ViZion - It's never been a secret that Universal Telecom has struggled mightily on the international market. For years, the brand has languished amid tough competition across the globe - small and agile new-comers like Vivaj Mobile and incumbent leaders such as World Cellular have continued to - simply put - demolish the Astyria Corporation cellular division. Even with its affordable pricing, solid global network, and unique pricing and network strategy, it seems the company simply cannot get any further of a foothold in the market.

Indeed, its global struggles have spread to its original home market - ViZion - where it has seen its market share tumble to just 15%, well short of several competitors. The travel-happy ViZionarians demand a network that covers the globe - or at least large swaths of it where they go - and Universal Telecom is far from universal in coverage.

And now, we have rumors from within the company that seem to point towards a possible sell-off of the company. Once of the the most important cellular companies, today it is not pulling its weight, and our source says there's a growing feeling that Universal Telecom is a lost cause for AstCorp. But even so, there are holdouts who believe in the company and its turn-around. And should the company turn-around post-sale, that would leave a gaping hole in the massive corporation's lineup of brands, and a burn against them.

So what will happen? Who knows - but what we do know it, something must happen, and soon, for the brand to survive with or without Astyria Corporation. With so many massive global cellular networks to choose from, there's less time than ever for the company to turn things around.

[ViZion]

Two applications will be given, but they'll be writing the same article.
Guest Article
Your Name: Sekka Verndara
Your Age: 500 to 1 millenium
Your Nation: The Demon Empire's Colony of Parfuhmerie
Are You: In Business | In Government | Economist | Other (see below)
If Other, Please Explain: Both the Head of Economics of Parfuhmerie & the co-owner of the Two Seas Trading Company
Additional Information: He lives in a fantasy-tech nation, but tech barriers won't cause issues. This article is to be about the creation of the Two Seas Trading Company, which was formed from the once-independent trading companies of the Verndara Emerald Trading Company and Mielle Trading.

Guest Article
Your Name: Sen Vorico (born Lucius Vorico)
Your Age: 500 to 1 millenium
Your Nation: The Thallian Treat of Valikoto
Are You: In Business | In Government | Economist | Other (see below)
If Other, Please Explain:
Additional Information: He lives in a fantasy-tech nation, but tech barriers won't cause issues. This article is to be about the creation of the Two Seas Trading Company, which was formed from the once-independent trading companies of the Verndara Emerald Trading Company and Mielle Trading.

Sekka Verndara and Sen Vorico have been approved for guest articles related to the Two Seas Trading Company.

[New Doltania]

Columnist
Your Name: Peter Strauss
Your Age: 31
Your Home Nation: New Doltania
Any experience in business and economic fields: Founder of Occhenfjord Financial Times
Past Columnist Jobs: Financial reporter for Occhenfjord Evening Herald, Editor and Founder of Occhenfjord Financial Times
Additional information:n/a

[ViZion]

Columnist
Your Name: Peter Strauss
Your Age: 31
Your Home Nation: New Doltania
Any experience in business and economic fields: Founder of Occhenfjord Financial Times
Past Columnist Jobs: Financial reporter for Occhenfjord Evening Herald, Editor and Founder of Occhenfjord Financial Times
Additional information:n/a

Peter Stauss has been approved as a columnist with a probationary status - if we like what we see from his work, he will be made as a permanent columnist.

[New Doltania]

The Economic Pages
Will The Risk Pay Off?

12/26/17
By Peter Strauss

Occhenfjord, New Doltania: Will the risk pay off? This is the question buzzing around the Financial Quarters off cities around the world after ViZionair announced the buyout of Ale Valiane, a small New Doltanian internal airline. Ale Valiane only own 4% of air traffic in New Doltania, compared to the 80% of market dominator Air New Doltania.

The former owners of Ale Valiane, the Valiane family, have probably made more money from selling the airline then they ever would from running it. ViZionair have made a huge leap of faith in the New Doltanian market, clearly expecting that their reputation will boost Ale Valiane. But they are hardly known of in New Doltania, and Air New Doltania have a sensationally good reputation.

The bookies already have odds on how long Ale Valiane will last under ViZionair, and at the moment it is 2-1 to only last 2 years. Will the bookies be right? They aren't often right in New Doltanian financial circles, but they are sometimes...

[Shwe Tu Colony]

The Economic Pages Guest Article

Creation of the Two Seas Trading Company

January 2, 2018
Guest Columnist: Sen Vorico, Sekka Verndara
Business/Business & Government Guest Writers

Courtyard of the Palazzo Valikoto, the site of the party for the Two Seas Trading Company's creation.

Piazzetta San Marco Venice BLS

PARFUHMERIE, DEMON EMPIRE - On November 19, 2017 of the Gregorian calendar, the two multinational companies of Mielle Trading, an ancient organization that has existed for thousands of years & has been passed down from generation to generation of the Vorico family, and the much younger Verndara Emerald Trading Company, a mere centuries-old corporation owned by Parfuhmerie's Head of Economics Sekka Verndara, a demon that had helped Parfuhmerie rise to become one of the world's most prominent commercial centers, had their owners come together in a meeting for the ages.

From this meeting came the merging of the two companies into the far larger corporation of the Two Seas Trading Company, named for how it governs over the two adjacent seas of the Thryllasian Region and the Thallian Region. As these two locations are some of the most central in their world, thousands and thousands of ships and trade routes move through them to deliver goods from different civilizations. By chance, the people of the Thallian Treat of Valikoto and the Demon Empire's future Parfuhmerians had chosen their homes to be in these two regions.

With centuries of hard work, the two cities built themselves from the ground up — or the ground down, in the case of Parfuhmerie and its underground city — from simple, ordinary civilizations to be ones with extraordinary wealth and influence that would forever change the history of their world. Before multiversal portals, the city of Valikoto created the world's largest harbor, which was so massive that it ended up around half the size of the civilization itself, which took up most of the coast on the north-western side of the Thallian Region and much of its surrounding islands to satiate the needs of its growing population.

After the creation of multiversal portals, Parufhmerie would be founded, and with it came the rapidly-growing Verndara Emerald Trading Company, who dominated the central Thryllasian Region, which years prior had been a literal blank void. Eventually, perhaps one of the greatest achievements from both Valikoto and Parfuhmerie, as well as their respective trading corporations, would soon be immortalized: the funding of the creation of Psytronius.

With the contact promoted by multiversal portals, the various schools supported by Mac, the god of the mind, met with some of the knowledgeable scholars and wizards of the Silver Cities of the Ubi Heroes universe. As a result of the many things they had in common — such as an intense desire to learn and exceptional magical capabilities — the two groups decided to found their own city based off of the Silver Cities so that they may research, teach, and learn in peace. After announcing their wish for loans in order to construct what would later become Psytronius, both Valikoto and Parfuhmerie promptly responded with their generous offers, which the wizards accepted.

Many years later, Psytronius would proceed to research at a brisk, unimpeded pace, sometimes abandoning their morals to advance science and magic. From these developments came improvements to portals, spells, the knowledge of magic, and other such technologies that would revolutionize life in their world and even beyond. Such knowledge and research even attracted the attention of the aforementioned Mac, who then pledged his support to Psytronius and became its patron deity.

To celebrate both their past achievements and to hope for future ones, a party is to be held January 6, 2018 on the modern calendar at the Palazzo Valikoto, where Mielle Trading had been based (Verndara Emerald Trading Company's such base of operations is far too small for so grand or large a celebration). Hundreds of fellow businessmen, alongside some Psytrine scholars and wizards, have been invited to the event in order to toast to the success of the company alongside Sekka Verndara and Sen Vorico.

[Toin]

Columnist
Your Name: Waylon Cobb
Your Age: 37
Your Home Nation: Kingdom of Toin
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: Considered by many to be economic expert; has had a job in the Whitelaw Stock Market
Past Columnist Jobs: The Daily Lobster as economic expert
Additional Information: N/A

[Nassaki]

Columnist
Your Name:Jura W. Samentau
Your Age:23
Your Home Nation:Nassaki
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields:founder of NP (Nassaki Post)
Past Columnist Jobs:Was Columnist for Nassaki Daily as a history expert.
Additional Information:N/A

[ViZion]

Columnist
Your Name:Jura W. Samentau
Your Age:23
Your Home Nation:Nassaki
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields:founder of NP (Nassaki Post)
Past Columnist Jobs:Was Columnist for Nassaki Daily as a history expert.
Additional Information:N/A

Columnist
Your Name: Waylon Cobb
Your Age: 37
Your Home Nation: Kingdom of Toin
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: Considered by many to be economic expert; has had a job in the Whitelaw Stock Market
Past Columnist Jobs: The Daily Lobster as economic expert
Additional Information: N/A

Jura and Waylon have both been approved on probationary status. Should we like what we see in their writing, they will be brought on full time.

[ViZion]

The Economic Pages

ViZion World Corporation's Military Industry Play - Could It Work?

01/7/17
By: Amy Roth

Vitalita, ViZion - It has been years since ViZion World Corporation's last foray into the military-arms industry, and it proved and expensive misstep for the company. Its attempts to break into the lucrative market are plentiful, and each has ended in failure. Three times, the company has purchased what appeared to be solid bets to grab a strong foothold in the market. All three times, those divisions have ultimately been shuttered after slumping sales that lead to massive corporate losses.

Yet, today, ViZion made its biggest play since, and one could call it a sort of Trojan horse into the market. Instead of going directly into the market by producing weaponry to purchase, Sunbeat Technologies - the technology company better known for consumer products like televisions, smart phones, and printers, and your computers processor - is targeting military product manufacturers with ultra secure CPU's and 5G chipsets to be the heart and brains and connectivity of their products as we move into a future of smart weaponry and robots.

An unusual way to break into the market, one must ask - Will it work? I, for one, think it's possible. They are taking advantage of the security scare with the flaws of Intel and ARM chips, and this could very well give them a leg up. And as we move further into a smart world with smart everything, and robots taking over the jobs of human troops, these ultra-secure, powerful connected chips will be just the thing every manufacturer will be needing, and most don't, or cant, make.

ViZion World Corporation's latest play could truly be pay off as a dominant, behind-the-scenes player in arguably the most lucrative market across the world.

[ViZion]

The Economic Pages

The Console Wars Redux?

02/04/18
By: Amy Roth

Vitalita, ViZion - It has been a long time since the last major console war raged on - taking place back in 2009-2011 where over half a dozen massive technology companies put forth their best in an effort to dominate. In the end, the two largest heading into that war, came out of it on top - Gordonopian Enterprises and Next Ingenious Notion. Recently, however, we've seen a major uptick in console releases headlined by companies such as Next Ingenious Notion & Architect, while Wide Format Technology Systems has relaunched its international division with an all-new product as well.

Other companies, such as Realzone, are soldiering on into 2018 with their lineup remaining intact, not yet in need of a heavy redo. Another exciting entrant is Blast Gaming, a company who, domestically in ViZion, has seen nearly year-over-year falling sales for over a decade and a half. They are betting the company on their all-new Dragon Fire, yet to be released by months end, and priced competitively against other top-level systems.

Is 2018 the year the console wars reignites? With roughly half a dozen console manufactures hawking their wares, and a similar number of major game developers pushing new games for 2018 on various console systems, I do think this will be the year. But without Gordonopian Enterprises in the fold this time around, who will reign supreme is up in the air.

[New Visayan Islands]

To: The Economic Pages
From: Handel Kang
Re: Application as Columnist

Greetings and salutations!

I, Handel Kang, do respectfully submit my application for the position of columnist in The Economic Pages.

Attached is the application form below:

Columnist
Your Name: Handel Kang
Your Age: 45
Your Home Nation: New Visayan Islands
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: Professor of Economics, Ateneo de Cebu University; Former investment banker, Bank of the Visayan Islands
Past Columnist Jobs: Regular columnist, Economic Digest
Additional Information: A scion of the Kang family, Handel's experience as an investment banker with the Bank of the Visayan Islands became the basis for his PhD in Accounting. It was also upon earning his doctorate that he took to teaching budding accountants, bankers, and economists at the Ateneo de Cebu University, earning tenure in 2016.

I appreciate your swift response.

Sincerely,
(Sgd.)
Dr. Handel Kang, PhD (Accounting), CFA, CPA
Full Professor, College of Business and Management
Ateneo de Cebu university

[ViZion]

The Economic Pages
Your Global Economic News Source!

Handel Kang,

Thank you for your application. We have reviewed it, and have approved on probationary status, your application. After two to three stories written, we will make a final decision based on the quality of your stories if you will be brought on full time.

Thank you,

The Economic Pages Human Resources

[New Visayan Islands]

The Economic Pages

Villanueva entering Mass Transit

02/08/18
By: Handel Kang

Cebu City, Visayan Confederation - Logistics giant Villanueva Logistics is making inroads into the mass transit sector of Cebu Province and the District of Humabon, according to its president and CEO. Hector Luis Villanueva made the announcement earlier today in a press conference after securing a contract with the Allanean Exporters Association worth twelve million Universal Standard Dollars for fifteen buses.

"With this contract," Villanueva was quoted as saying, "we will be able to expand our coverage to not only include the various materiel that each part of the Confederation needs, but also the very people that make the lifeblood of this nation," hinting at a possible expansion to other provinces.

What is interesting about the deal, however, is not Villanueva entering the mass transit sector; while it alone was enough to shake local mainstays, among them the Yanson Group, the fact that the buses are driverless is what has gotten the attention of the transportation industry. Already local netizens have expressed mixed reactions to the new buses, ranging from excitement to even outrage; elements of the Yanson Group have suggested that the Undersecretary for Transport block the contract altogether, but as of press time, Undersecretary Limbaga could not be reached for a statement.

[Outer Chadonia]

Is there anyone here who’s into cryptocurrency?

[ViZion]

Is there anyone here who’s into cryptocurrency?

OOC: Please keep posts in here to applications and news articles.

[New Visayan Islands]

The Economic Pages

Victoria Arms deal with Allanean Defense Exports shakes Arms, Security sectors

03/02/18
By: Handel Kang

Cebu City, Visayan Confederation - In a press conference held last night at the Marco Polo Hotel in Lahug District, Samuel Cui announced that a deal with Allanean Defense Exports has been successful. The president and CEO of Victoria Associated Industries, the parent company of Victoria Arms, has gone on record as saying that "this deal is a game-changer for the arms and private security industries of the Confederation. Already twenty of Victoria Arms' best gunsmiths are being selected to undergo training for the new product we will be offering to the public, and once we have unveiled our newest product, you can rest assured that every security company in the Confederation--I'm looking at you people at Greased lightning, by the way--can enjoy cutting-edge weapon systems that translate into more effective security personnel."

The contract, worth one hundred million Universal Standard Dollars, was for domestic production rights to the Armatax KAR-MkV, a bullpup carbine. Industry analysts suggest that purchase of DPR is part of a general expansion of Victoria Arms, still riding high on sales of the Judex, a compact M1911 variant intended to be defensive carry for members of the legal profession.

As expected, mixed reactions were had by the arms sector, while there was much rejoicing in the private security sector. Various rival companies were, pun not intended, up in arms about the announcement, and hints that Cui may expand even further have added fuel to the flame. As of press time, however, Secretary del Rosario refused to comment on the resulting furor.

ERRATUM: Undersecretary Limbaga was not asked for a comment, Secretary del Rosario was.

[ViZion]

The Economic Pages

Global Travel Market Still Down With No Signs of Improvement Near

09/17/2023
By: Amy Roth

Vitalita, ViZion - The global air travel industry has been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic. The decline in demand has had a profound effect on airlines worldwide, with only a few able to succeed on a large scale. The market is grappling with limited growth opportunities, making it challenging for airlines to recover.

The struggling global air travel industry has taken a toll on ViZionair and other top global airlines. With demand down, airlines are facing significant challenges in maintaining their operations and profitability. The limited number of passengers has resulted in reduced revenue, forcing airlines to make difficult decisions to stay afloat1.

The market struggles with few airlines able to succeed on a large scale. The pandemic has disrupted the aviation industry, leading to a decrease in the number of flights and passengers. Airlines are grappling with reduced capacity utilization, which further exacerbates their financial woes1.

The growth prospects in the market are very limited due to the prevailing circumstances. The uncertain nature of the pandemic and travel restrictions imposed by various countries have hindered the recovery of the aviation sector. Airlines are cautiously navigating these challenges, seeking innovative strategies to adapt to the changing landscape1.

With that, the struggling global air travel industry has had a profound impact on ViZionair and other top global airlines. With demand down and growth opportunities limited, airlines are facing an uphill battle to recover from the effects of the pandemic. However, with resilience and adaptability, airlines can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger in the post-pandemic era. The question is, with little to no visible improvements, when will that be?

[ViZion]

The Economic Pages

There's an Elite, Secretive Airline Membership You Aren't Invited To

10/27/2023
By: Amy Roth

Vitalita, ViZion - Have you ever heard of the secret club that some airlines have for their most elite flyers? It’s not something you can find on their website or in their brochure. It’s a hidden and exclusive membership level that goes beyond their top tier elite status. ViZionair, one of the world’s leading airlines, has such a club. It’s called the Reserve Elite status, and it’s the most exclusive and prestigious club in the airline industry. You can’t join it by earning a bunch of miles, like the other status levels. You need to meet some super-secret requirements, based on how much you spend and other stuff.

I have a friend who got invited to the Reserve Elite status this year, after spending over $100,000 on mostly first class seats and being close to million mile status. They were kind enough to share some juicy details with me about their experience as a Reserve Elite member, and I was totally amazed by the perks and goodies that they get.

First of all, they got a welcome package from ViZionair, which included a signed letter from the CEO, a diamond-encrusted platinum ring with the membership year and the ViZionair logo, designer designed luggage tags, a welcome booklet, and a special membership card. They also got a huge bonus of 100,000 miles to start the next year off with, which they can use for free flights, upgrades, or gifts.

The welcome booklet also detailed some of the special benefits that they enjoy as a Reserve Elite member. For example, they have free access to all ViZionair and subsidiary lounges, including the super-cool and exclusive Carbon Reserve Status Club, which is invite-only, and Indulgence Lounge, which is only for Ultimate Indulgence passengers. They can also bring as many guests as they want to the lounges, so they can share the fun with their friends, family, or colleagues. The lounges have awesome amenities and services, such as spa treatments, yummy food and drinks, entertainment options, and more.

Another benefit that they enjoy is having a personal travel team, who take care of everything for them from start to finish. They pick them up from their home, office, or hotel within 150 miles of a hub airport and check them in while on their ride. They also handle their luggage, both check-in and carryon. They escort them to their seat on the aircraft, with any stops in between such as lounge, restaurant, shopping, and security at the front of the line. If they want, they can also drive them across the tarmac and board them without scanning at the gate.

The last benefit that they enjoy is having guaranteed upgrade for them and unlimited companions on the same reservation, so they can enjoy the best class of service available on any flight. They also have personal concierge line, available via text, phone call, or email. They can help them with anything related to their travel or experiences, such as booking flights, hotels, activities, events, and more. They can also give them tips and recommendations for their destination.

Reserve Elite is the ultimate status for the most loyal and highest spenders of ViZionair. While it isn’t known what exactly are the requirements, high spending and the class of travel booked seem to be two key factors.

This is Amy Roth, your travel writer for today. I hope you enjoyed reading about ViZionair’s secret club. Maybe one day you’ll get to join it too! Until then, happy flying!

[Great Britain and Irelandia]

Columnist
Your Name: Illiaster Anderson
Your Age: 32
Your Home Nation: Great Britain and Irelandia
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: yes, owns successful businesses
Past Columnist Jobs: none
Additional Information: none

[ViZion]

Columnist
Your Name: Illiaster Anderson
Your Age: 32
Your Home Nation: Great Britain and Irelandia
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: yes, owns successful businesses
Past Columnist Jobs: none
Additional Information: none

Illiaster Anderson has been approved as a columnist at The Economic Pages.

[Hundredstar]

Columnist
Your Name: Ambassador Allan Dome
Your Age: 59
Your Home Nation: Hundredstar
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: former Chief Operation Officer, Kingdom Steel Ltd.
Past Columnist Jobs: former columnist at South Side Weekly and East Coast Register
Additional Information: Ambassador Dome currently serves as Hundredstar ambassador to Sharktail

[ViZion]

Columnist
Your Name: Ambassador Allan Dome
Your Age: 59
Your Home Nation: Hundredstar
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: former Chief Operation Officer, Kingdom Steel Ltd.
Past Columnist Jobs: former columnist at South Side Weekly and East Coast Register
Additional Information: Ambassador Dome currently serves as Hundredstar ambassador to Sharktail

Ambassador Allan Dome has been approved as a columnist at The Economic Pages.

[Bigpipstan]

Columnist
Your Name: Augeas "Lang" Price
Your Age: 35
Your Home Nation: Anocratic empire of Bigpipstan
Any Experience in Business & Economic Fields: Former leader of a farmer union
Past Columnist Jobs: Journalist for Acrab news
Additional Information: